Even with a substantial COVID-driven reduction in tax revenue, the average Canadian family paid more in taxes last year than it did on housing, food a

CALGARY—Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdowns driving down tax revenues collected by governments across Canada, the average Canadian family still spent over 36 per cent of its income on taxes in 2020—more than housing, food and clothing costs combined, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “Throughout the COVID pandemic, as tax revenues decreased for governments nationwide, taxes remained the largest household expense for Canadian families,” said Jake Fuss, economist at the Fraser Institute and co-author of The Canadian Consumer Tax Index, 2021 Edition.

Canadians may question whether or not we’re getting good value for our money

Last year, the average Canadian family earned $96,333 and paid $35,047 in taxes compared to $34,105 for the basic necessities—housing (including rent and mortgage payments), food and clothing combined. In other words, the average Canadian family spent 36.4 per cent of its income on taxes compared to 35.4 per cent on basic necessities. The total tax bill for Canadians includes visible and hidden taxes (paid to the federal, provincial and local governments) including income, payroll, sales, property, carbon, health, fuel and alcohol taxes. Critically, since 1961, the average Canadian family’s total tax bill has increased nominally by 1,992 per cent, dwarfing increases in annual housing costs (1,671 per cent), clothing (629 per cent) and food (767 per cent). “Considering the sheer amount of income that goes towards taxes in this country, Canadians may question whether or not we’re getting good value for our money,” Fuss said. Media Contact: • Jake Fuss, Senior Economist, Fraser Institute • Tegan Hill, Economist, Fraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact: Drue MacPherson, Fraser Institute drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org